STUDENTS MUST PAY THE PRICE OF PRANKS

Officials at Southern Illinois University have taken a heavy hand in dealing with an out-of-control Halloween party. Thirteen students have been suspended and another dozen received lesser penalties. The suspensions will last at least one year.

What will it take for students to get the message in Carbondale? The university and city have been quite clear in banning such Halloween gatherings that have turned into near riots in the past.

About 50 students -- mostly freshmen and sophomores -- were arrested during this year's Halloween "festivities." The charges are severe. Some revelers threw glass bottles at police, broke store windows and pitched a railroad crossing arm and road signs at a passing Amtrak train. They also overturned a car and damaged a softball field and some university buildings.

This kind of damage goes way beyond anyone's definition of fun. It is reckless and dangerous to the public welfare. Students became criminals, and they should be treated as such.